What we do
The Technology Strategy Board promotes innovation in many ways.
As well as investing in programmes and projects, much of our work is in spreading knowledge, understanding policy, spotting opportunities and bringing people together to solve problems or make new advances.
To prioritise and guide our work, we have identified a number of key technology areas (KTAs) and key application areas where efforts will be focused. We also use other approaches to targeting our activities - particularly Innovation Platforms and Emerging technologies.
The Technology Strategy Board currently manages a range of programmes and delivery mechanisms to drive innovation.
Collaborative research and development
We invest in projects involving business and researchers working together to deliver successful new technology-based products and services. Over 700 CR&D projects have received investment since 2004, amounting to over £1 billion (about half from ourselves and half from the businesses involved).
Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs)
A KTN is a national network in a specific field of technology or business application, which brings together people from businesses, universities, research, finance and technology organisations in order to stimulate innovation through knowledge transfer and sharing of ideas.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)
A KTP is the placement of a high calibre, recently-qualified individual into a business to work on innovation projects. Increasing business interaction with the university ‘knowledge base,' it provides company-based training for graduates at the same time as delivering real benefits for the business.
Micro and Nanotechnology Centres
These centres were formed to address key gaps in the existing capabilities available to the UK Micro and Nanotechnology community, by providing open access to a range of key capabilities and services at market rates.
International programmes
The Technology Strategy Board has a UK coordination role within EUREKA, a pan-European initiative for promoting collaborative business-led R&D. It is also responsible for the FP7 UK National Contact Point service, which provides advice to help UK businesses participate in the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. This is the EU's main instrument for funding research in Europe and will run from 2007 to 2013.
We are developing an international strategy which will look at how we benchmark, collaborate and participate in innovation internationally.
The future
The Technology Strategy Board has a very exciting future ahead.
By stimulating technological innovation across a wide range of business sectors, it is well placed to make a real difference to the prosperity and influence of the UK in the medium term. It is in a position to become a thought leader in the area of how to transform innovation into market reality, and a key force in co-ordinating and expressing Government policy in this area.
The review of UK science and innovation policy published by Lord Sainsbury in October 2007 confirmed this leadership role and recommended that we be given further responsibilities.
A forward-looking strategy for the Technology Strategy Board's activities for the years 2008 to 2011 will be published in the Spring of 2008.